Keys
I misplaced the key to my car the other day, and had to switch to my emergency backup key.
My car has one of those fancy security systems, where there’s a transponder in the key that allows the car to start. I can’t just go to Lowe’s and get 10 copies made.
My backup key is a valet key, which means I can’t open the truck with it. That annoyance, coupled with the fact that I didn’t have a second backup key, made me think I should get another one made up.
I called Toyota and asked about getting one. He wanted to know — odd, I thought — if I had a master key. Nope, just the valet key.
It turns out that, without the master key, they have to reprogam the car’s security system — “flash the ECU” — and then give me a new key that’s coded to that updated security system.
Cost: $78 to reprogram, plus $46.58 for the key. That’s almost $125 for a new key. Holy moly.
I posted a note to SolaraGuy, a great site for Solara and Camry owners, detailing my plight. I got one offer to sell me a blank transponder key for $20. That was better than Toyota’s $46.58, but what the heck was I supposed to do with it?
Web sites offering these keys had similar prices for blanks. If you didn’t have a master, you could mail in your car’s computer and they would reprogram it for less than Toyota, but I’d be carless for a week.
And that didn’t answer my question: I did have a master, but what good would a blank do me?
Then I got my answer from a SolaraGuy poster. Get this:
“[G]o to homedepot or somewhere to get it cut cheap (my home depot did it for free). Then follow these instructions…
While pushing in both the ACCELERATOR and BRAKE PEDAL:
Insert already-registered key in the cylinder
Depress and release the accelerator pedal 5 times
Depress and release the brake pedal 6 times, and remove the master key
Insert the key to be registered in key cylinder
Depress and release the accelerator pedal 1 time (Security indicator blinks)
After 60 seconds, master key is registered (Security indicator is OFF)
Each step must be done with 10 seconds
At first I thought this was a joke, but a quick Google search showed me it isn’t. It’s like having an easter egg in your car, but one that’s actually useful instead of just cute. I’m going to order a blank from someone and give it a try. But I’ll be chuckling as I do the little song and dance routine.
Update: I just bought a blank for $20 from MyKeyless on eBay. It appears to have keys for lots of Toyotas, plus keyless remotes for a bunch of brands.
David says:
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How are you going to ‘give it a try’ without the master key (or have you re-located your missing key)?